Antihypertensive Treatment with Candesartan Monotherapy Does Not Improve the Quality of Life of Finnish Hypertensive Patients

Candesartan is an effective and widely used antihypertensive medication. The effect of candesartan alone or combined with hydrochlorothiazide and felodipine on the quality of life (QOL) of Finnish hypertensive patients was examined. Antihypertensive treatment was started and conducted according to protocol by candesartan 8 mg once daily and then increased to 16 mg once daily, if needed. Thereafter, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg or 25 mg once daily and felodipine 5 mg once daily were added, if needed. QOL was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire at baseline and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 (end of study) weeks. The blood pressure target was a diastolic BP below or equal to 80 mmHg. Ninety-eight hypertensive patients, 42 men and 56 women were studied. The only statistically significant change in QOL was a reduction in QOL among the patients on candesartan monotherapy throughout the study. Their physical functioning, total physical and mental health and total SF-36 score decreased significantly. Non-significant increases in QOL were recorded among patients who had a reduction in their systolic blood pressure, who were older and who had a high systolic blood pressure in the beginning of the study. This study suggests that an adequate antihypertensive effect is an important predictor of QOL for patients being treated for high blood pressure. Candesartan alone without an adequate blood pressure decrease does not improve QOL.